Authorization access controlled content exchange

ABSTRACT

Authorization access controlled content exchange can be implemented, for example, in a multimedia content distribution environment when individual client devices are capable of storing content. A content index is maintained for each client device that reflects the content stored thereat. Predefined authorization access information for each relevant content item may be included in a content index entry corresponding thereto. A profile is maintained that includes predetermined authorization access information which indicates access rights. A search may be performed by and/or on behalf of a requesting client device for desired content with reference to authorization access information. A content transfer to the requesting client device from a target client device may be enabled if the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information. Searches may be orchestrated or effectuated by the requesting client device or a head end of the multimedia content distribution system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to controlled content exchangeand in particular, by way of example but not limitation, to contentsharing across client devices that is controlled responsive toauthorization access information.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Television-based entertainment systems are expanding theprogramming and services that they offer. In addition to televisionprogram content such as that found on broadcast and traditional cablenetworks, television service providers are adding on-demand video, aswell as other interactive services, features, and applications. Thecorresponding content and additional information are downloaded over atelevision-based network for display, use, and/or storage on client-sideset-top boxes (STBs) or similar devices. Enabling content storage isprovided as a service and/or feature to subscribers in television-basedentertainment systems.

[0003] The storage is typically accomplished using a hard disk or othermass memory storage medium in which the audio/video or other content issaved using any of many available formats, including those formats thatcompress the content. A subscriber can therefore order the STB to recordcontent onto the hard disk by setting a channel, date, and time or byselecting a program listed on an electronic program guide (EPG).Subsequently, the subscriber can view the recorded content at his or herleisure. However, the subscriber is not always able to record programsthat he or she may wish to subsequently view.

[0004] There may be many reasons for a subscriber failing to record adesired program. For example, there may be insufficient storageavailable on the hard disk. The subscriber may simply forget to orderthe STB to record a desired program, or the subscriber may be unawarethat a desired program is to be broadcast prior to the broadcast.Alternatively, the EPG or other source of programming data may beinaccurate. Additionally, even if the programming data is accurate, thesubscriber is aware of the program, and the subscriber correctly setsthe STB, the subscriber is nonetheless subject to last minute and/orunannounced scheduling changes as to time, day, or channel by thebroadcasting network.

[0005] Accordingly, for television-based entertainment systems, there isa need for schemes and techniques to provide a service and/or feature tosubscribers to handle situations in which subscribers fail to record adesired program.

SUMMARY

[0006] Authorization access controlled content exchange can beimplemented, for example, in a multimedia content distributionenvironment when individual client devices are capable of storingcontent. A content index is maintained for each client device thatreflects the content stored thereat. Predefined authorization accessinformation for each relevant content item may be included in a contentindex entry corresponding thereto. A profile is maintained that includespredetermined authorization access information which indicates accessrights. A search may be performed by and/or on behalf of a requestingclient device for desired content with reference to authorization accessinformation. A content transfer to the requesting client device from atarget client device may be enabled if the predetermined authorizationaccess information comports with the predefined authorization accessinformation. Searches may be orchestrated or effectuated by therequesting client device or a head end of the multimedia contentdistribution system. Content indexes of the client devices may besearched at the head end or at the individual client devices, dependingon implementation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to referencelike and/or corresponding aspects, features, and components.

[0008]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary television system architecture inwhich the systems and methods for authorization access controlledcontent exchange can be implemented.

[0009]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary client device, a television, andvarious input devices that interact with the client device.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates components of theexemplary client devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a network environment in which exemplary aspects ofauthorization access controlled content exchange are illustrated.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary method forauthorization access controlled content exchange.

[0013]FIG. 6 is an exemplary head end of the network environment of FIG.4.

[0014]FIG. 7 is an exemplary client device for the network environmentof FIG. 4.

[0015]FIG. 8 is an exemplary profile for the network environment of FIG.4.

[0016]FIG. 9 is an exemplary content index for the network environmentof FIG. 4.

[0017]FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary authorization access controlledcontent transfer for the network environment of FIG. 4.

[0018]FIGS. 11, 11A, and 11B are flow diagrams that illustrate exemplarymethods for authorization access controlled content exchange.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following discussion is directed to an exemplary multimediacontent distribution system such as a television-based entertainmentsystem. Such systems include interactive TV networks, cable/satellitenetworks that utilize electronic program guides and other applications,web-enabled TV networks, and so forth. Client devices in such systemsrange from full-resource clients with substantial memory and processingresources, such as TV-enabled personal computers and TV recordersequipped with hard-disks, to low-resource clients with limited memoryand/or processing resources, such as traditional STBs. However,authorization access controlled content exchange as described herein mayadditionally be used in other environments such as those that distributecontent with limitations regarding playability, recording, furtherdistribution, and so forth. While aspects of the described systems andmethods can be used in any of these environments and for any types ofclient devices, they are described primarily in the context of thefollowing exemplary environment.

[0020] Exemplary System Architecture

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary television-based entertainmentsystem 100 that is an architecture in which authorization accesscontrolled content exchange may be implemented. System 100 facilitatesdistribution of content and other information to multiple viewers.System 100 includes one or more content providers 102, zero, one or moreother information providers 104, a content distribution system 106, andone or more client devices 108(1), 108(2), . . . , 108(N) coupled tocontent distribution system 106 via a network 110.

[0022] Content provider 102 includes a content server 112 and storedcontent 114, such as movies, television programs, commercials, music,and similar audio and/or video content. Content server 112 controlsdistribution of stored content 114 from content provider 102 to contentdistribution system 106. Additionally, content server 112 may controldistribution of live content (e.g., content that was not previouslystored, such as live feeds) and/or content stored at other locations tocontent distribution system 106.

[0023] Other information provider 104 includes other informationdatabase 116 and other information server 118. Other informationdatabase 116 stores other content information that may be provided toclient devices 108. Such other content information includes softwaremodules, images, text, executable programs, gaming or other interactiveinformation, and so forth. Thus, the other information may also includemultimedia content, especially content of an irregular, one-of-a-kind,or similar nature, content of an interactive type, or content fromsmaller independent providers. Other information server 118 processesthe other information from other information database 116 prior todistribution to generate one or more files that are optimized for, or atleast capable of, transmission to content distribution system 106 and/ordistribution therefrom.

[0024] Content distribution system 106 includes a transceiver 128, oneor more content processors 130, and one or more other informationprocessors 132. Transceiver 128 can alternatively be a broadcasttransmitter if bidirectional communication is not required. Transceiver128 transmits (e.g., broadcasts) signals, such as cable/satellitetelevision signals, across network 110. Network 110 can include a cabletelevision network; an RF, microwave, satellite, and/or data network,such as the Internet; and may also include wired or wireless media usingany transmission format or protocol. Additionally, network 110 can beany type of network (including a broadcast network), using any type ofnetwork topology and any network communication protocol, and can berepresented or otherwise implemented as a combination of two or morenetworks.

[0025] Content processor 130 processes the content received from contentprovider 102 prior to transmitting the content across network 110.Similarly, other information processor 132 processes the otherinformation that is received from other information provider 104 priorto transmission of the other information across network 110. Aparticular content processor 130 may encode, or otherwise process, thereceived content into a format that is understood by the multiple clientdevices 108(1), 108(2), . . . , 108(N) that are coupled to network 110.Content processor 130 and/or other information processor 132 may alsotag content with authorization access information prior to distributionto the client devices 108.

[0026] Although FIG. 1 shows a single content provider 102, a singleother information provider 104, and a single content distribution system106, the exemplary system 100 can include any number of contentproviders and/or other information providers coupled to any number ofcontent distribution systems. Thus, at least content distribution system106, content provider 102, and/or other information provider 104 areindividually or jointly representative of a headend service thatprovides content and other information to multiple subscribers.

[0027] Client devices 108 can be implemented in a number of ways. Forexample, a client device 108(1) receives content and other informationfrom a satellite-based transmitter via a satellite dish 134. Clientdevice 108(1) is also referred to as a set-top box or a satellitereceiving device. Client device 108(1) is coupled to a television 136(1)for presenting the content and other information (including audio,video, and/or audio/video content information) that are received byclient device 108(1), as well as for presenting a graphical userinterface. A particular client device 108 can be coupled to any numberof televisions 136 and/or similar devices that can be implemented todisplay or otherwise render content. Similarly, any number of clientdevices 108 can be coupled to a single television 136.

[0028] Client device 108(2) is also coupled to receive content and otherinformation from network 110 and to provide the received content andother information to associated television 136(2). Client device 108(N)is an example of a combination television 138 and integrated set-top box(STB) 140. In this example, the various components and functionality ofthe STB are incorporated into the television, rather than using twoseparate devices. STB 140 that is integrated into television 138 canreceive signals (e.g., broadcast signals) via a satellite dish (similarto satellite dish 134) and/or directly via network 110. In alternateimplementations, client devices 108 may receive signals via the Internetor any other network, especially those network mediums that are capableof handling so-called broadband transmissions. As is further describedbelow, client devices 108 may engage in content exchanges between anamong other client devices 108 under an authorization access informationcontrolled mechanism.

[0029] The exemplary system 100 also includes content information fromother networks/network providers 142, which may provide contentinformation such as information streamed over the Internet, informationreceived directly from a provider of the information, and so forth.Content information from other networks/network providers 142 may beaccessible over network 110 (i.e., a network that also provides contentinformation and other information via content distribution system 106).Alternatively, content information from other networks/network providers142 may be accessible over a different network, including a wide areanetwork (WAN), the Internet, a public or private telecommunicationsnetwork, and so forth.

[0030] Exemplary Client Device

[0031]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation 200 of a clientdevice 108 that is shown as a standalone unit that connects to atelevision 136 and communicates with various input devices 204, 206, and208. Client device 108 can be implemented in any number of embodiments,including as an STB, a satellite receiver, a TV recorder with a harddisk, a digital video record (DVR) (and playback system), a gameconsole, an information appliance, a personal computer (PC), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone (MT), a tablet PC, a pocketor hand-sized PC, and so forth.

[0032] Client device 108 includes a wireless port 202, such as aninfrared (IR) or Bluetooth wireless port, for receiving wirelesscommunications from a remote control device 204, a handheld input device206, or any other wireless device, such as a wireless keyboard. Handheldinput device 206 can be a personal digital assistant (PDA), handheldcomputer, wireless phone, or the like. Additionally, a wired keyboard208 can be coupled to communicate with client device 108. In alternateembodiments, remote control device 204, handheld device 206, and/orkeyboard 208 may use an RF communication link or other mode oftransmission to communicate with client device 108.

[0033] Client device 108 receives one or more (e.g., broadcast) signals210 from one or more broadcast sources, such as from a satellite or acable or a broadcast network, including a broadcast implementation ofnetwork 110 (of FIG. 1). Client device 108 includes hardware and/orsoftware for receiving and decoding a broadcast signal 210, such as anNTSC, PAL, SECAM or other TV system video signal. Client device 108 alsoincludes hardware and/or software for providing the user with agraphical user interface (GUI) such as a menu-driven interface. With aGUI or other interface, for example, a user can access various networkservices, configure client device 108, and/or perform other functions,including requesting the recording or transfer of content in conjunctionwith a content exchange mechanism.

[0034] Client device 108 can communicate with other devices via one ormore connections including a conventional telephone line or link 212, anISDN link 214, a cable link 216, an Ethernet link 218, a DSL link 220,and the like. Client device 108 may use any one or more of the variouscommunication links 212-220 at a particular instant to communicate withany number of other devices, including other client devices 108 and/or ahead end of multimedia content distribution system. For example, inaddition to receiving content information over any one of communicationlinks 212-220, client device 108 may provide (e.g., transmit)information such as content, a search request, an index of recordedcontent items, etc. over communication links 212-220 or any other typeof communication link. Such other types of communication links mayinclude those appropriate for a local area network (LAN), a Bluetooth®network, an IEEE 802.11b-compliant network, or other wired or wirelessnetwork type.

[0035] Client device 108 generates video signal(s) 222 and audiosignal(s) 224, both of which are communicated to television 136. Videosignals 222 and audio signals 224 can be communicated from client device108 to television 136 via an RF (radio frequency) link, S-video link,composite video link, component video link, co-axial cable link, orother communication link. Although not shown in FIG. 2, client device108 may include one or more lights or other indicators identifying thecurrent status of the device. Additionally, client device 108 mayinclude one or more control buttons, switches, or other selectablecontrols for controlling operation of the device.

[0036]FIG. 3 illustrates selected components of exemplary client device108 that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Client device 108 includes a firsttuner 300 and an optional second tuner 302. The tuners 300 and 302 arerepresentative of one or more in-band tuners that tune to variousfrequencies or channels to receive television signals, as well as atleast one out-of-bound (OOB) tuner that tunes to the broadcastchannel(s) over which data information is broadcast (e.g., carouseled orotherwise transmitted) to client device 108.

[0037] Client device 108 also includes one or more processors 304 whichprocess various instructions to control the operation of client device108 and to communicate with other electronic and computing devices.Client device 108 can be implemented with one or more memory components,examples of which include a random access memory (RAM) 306, a disk drive308, another mass storage component 310, and a non-volatile memory 312(e.g., ROM, Flash, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). The memory components (e.g.,RAM 306, disk drive 308, mass storage 310, and non-volatile memory 312)store various instructions, configuration information, and/or contentinformation for client device 108.

[0038] Alternative implementations of client device 108 can include arange of processing and memory capabilities, and may include more orfewer types of memory components than those illustrated in FIG. 3. Forexample, full-resource clients can be implemented with substantialmemory and processing resources, including the disk drive 308 to storecontent for replay by the viewer. Low-resource clients, however, mayhave limited processing and memory capabilities, such as a limitedamount of RAM 306, a small disk drive 308 (if any), and limitedprocessing capabilities of a processor 304.

[0039] An operating system 314 as well as otherelectronically-executable instructions may be stored in non-volatilememory 312 (and/or other memory component(s) 306, 308, and 310) andexecuted on processor 304 to provide a runtime environment. A runtimeenvironment facilitates extensibility of client device 108 by allowingvarious interfaces to be defined that, in turn, allow programs/modulesto interact with client device 108. These electronically-executableinstructions include, for example, DVR instructions 316 for recording(and playing back) content and controlled content exchange instructions318. Controlled content exchange instructions 318 may enable clientdevices 108 to locate and/or transfer content between and among otherclient devices 108 in accordance with authorization access information.Controlled content exchange instructions 318, which are describedfurther herein, may optionally operate in conjunction with a head end ofa multimedia content distribution system.

[0040] Client device 108 also includes a decoder 320 to decode abroadcast video signal, such as an NTSC, PAL, SECAM or other TV systemvideo signal. Processor 304, along with tuner(s) 300 and 302 and/ordecoder 320, also enables client device 108 to reconstruct audio andvideo from an MPEG-2 stream or other digital packet signal, whethercompressed or uncompressed. Client device 108 can also include othercomponents pertaining to a television-based entertainment system whichare not illustrated in this example. For example, client device 108 caninclude a user interface application and/or user interface lights,buttons, controls, and the like to facilitate viewer interaction withthe device.

[0041] Client device 108 further includes a wireless interface 322, anetwork interface 324, a serial and/or parallel interface 326, and amodem 328. Wireless interface 322 allows client device 108 to receiveinput commands and other information from a user-operated input device,such as from a remote control device or from another IR, Bluetooth, orsimilar RF input device. Network interface 324 and serial and/orparallel interface 326 allows client device 108 to interact andcommunicate with other electronic and computing devices via variouscommunication links, including communication links to other clientdevices 108. Modem 328 facilitates communication by client device 108with other electronic and computing devices via a conventional telephoneline. Although not shown in FIG. 3, client device 108 may also includeother types of data communication interfaces to communicate with otherdevices.

[0042] Client device 108 also includes an audio output 330 and a videooutput 332 that provide signals to a television or other device thatprocesses and/or displays or otherwise renders the audio and videoinformation. Although shown separately, some of the components of clientdevice 108 may be implemented together in an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) or other manner. For example,electronically-executable instructions (318) and associated processingabilities for authorization access controlled content exchange may beintegrated together onto one or more ASICs instead of using more-generalmemory (e.g., 306, 312, etc.) and/or processing (e.g., 304, etc.)resources of a client device (108).

[0043] Additionally, a system bus (not shown) typically connects thevarious components within client device 108. A system bus can beimplemented as one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, or a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures. By way of example, such architectures can include anIndustry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture(MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics StandardsAssociation (VESA) local bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects(PCI) bus also known as a Mezzanine bus.

[0044] Authorized Access Controlled Content Exchange

[0045]FIG. 4 is a network environment 400 in which exemplary aspects ofauthorization access controlled content exchange are illustrated. A headend 402 and multiple client devices 108 are in communication with eachother over network 110. Head end 402 provides content and otherservices/features to client devices 108 over network 110. Head end 402may therefore correspond at least to one or more of content distributionsystem 106, content provider 102, other information provider 104, and/orcontent information from other networks/network providers 142. Althoughonly two client devices 108X and 108Y are illustrated in networkenvironment 400, many more client devices 108 are typically connected tonetwork 110.

[0046] Each client device 108 includes a profile 410, a (content) index412, and (stored) content 414. Hence, client device 108X includes aprofile 410X, an index 412X, and content 414X, and client device 108Yincludes a profile 410Y, an index 412Y, and content 414Y. Profile 410provides information regarding a user/subscriber, the client deviceitself, features and premium services that are subscribed to, and soforth. Profile 410 is described further below with reference to FIG. 8.Index 412 includes multiple entries that are each directed to one ormore content items that are stored in content 414. Each index entry ofindex 412 may include an identification of the stored content,descriptive information, access rights information, and so forth. Eachindex may be stored as a listing of index entries or in any other formator manner. Index 412 is described further below with reference to FIG.9.

[0047] Head end 402 includes profiles 404 and indexes 406. Generally,profiles 404 may include profiles 410 of client devices 108 that areconnected to head end 402 over network 110. Similarly, indexes 406 mayinclude indexes 412 of client devices 108 that are connected to head end402 over network 110. Specifically, profiles 404 and indexes 406 caninclude at least profiles 410 and indexes 412, respectively, of thoseclient devices 108 that subscribe to an authorization access controlledcontent exchange service with head end 402. When a client device 108changes an entry of profile 410 or index 412, head end 402 is notifiedso that profiles 404 or indexes 406 may be changed accordingly to ensurethat consistency is maintained. Similarly, when a head end 402 makes achange, the respective client device 108 is notified to maintainconsistency.

[0048] Profiles 404 and indexes 406 may be organized in any fashion.Exemplary organizations include a listing of profiles 410 and indexes412, respectively; a standard or specialized database format; and soforth. Each respective profile 410 n/index 412 n pair (not explicitlyshown) from a particular client device 108 n may be linked at head end402 as a profile/index pair 408 n, as indicated by linking arrows408(1), . . . , 408(N). This linking may be established logically, byproximate memory storage, and so forth.

[0049] It should be understood that the information in, for example,profile 410X and index 412X may not be identical to the information inthe entry or entries of profiles 404 and 406 that correspond to clientdevice 108X (e.g., a profile/index pair 408(X)). For example, theprofile portion of profile/index pair 408(X) may include a networkaddress identifier for client device 108X while profile 410X may or maynot include the network address identifier for client device 108X. Also,although index 412X may include descriptions, ratings, reviews, etc. ofa recorded content item, the corresponding index portion ofprofile/index pair 408(X) need not include such details. Additionally,in direct search implementations as described herein, profiles 404 andindexes 406 need not be present at head end 402. Likewise, although itwould increase bidirectional communication between client devices 108and head end 402, profiles 410 and indexes 412 need not be present atclient devices 108 in search server implementations.

[0050]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 500 that illustrates an exemplary methodfor authorization access controlled content exchange. The six (6) methodblocks 502-512 of flow diagram 500 may be effectuated in networkenvironment 400 (of FIG. 4). However, the method may alternatively beimplemented in a different network environment and/or with differenthardware. At block 502, a content search request is received. Thecontent search request may be received, for example, by a client device108 from a user/requester/viewer/subscriber. Alternatively, the contentsearch request may be received by head end 402 from auser/requester/subscriber/client device 108. Consequently, a user,requester, subscriber, etc. may be a person operating a client device108 or the actual client device 108. At block 504, a content match islocated via a search. The search for the requested content is carriedout by searching the indexes 412 or the indexes 406. Direct searches maybe accomplished by searching indexes 412 that are located at clientdevices 108. Search server searches may be accomplished by searchingindexes 406 that are located at head end 402. These two search mannersare described further below.

[0051] At block 506, it is determined whether the requester has accessrights to the requested content. This determination is made withreference to the profile 410 and/or the profile portion of theprofile/index pair 408 of the client device 108 that is used to make therequest as well as the index entry of the located content in an index412 and/or in the index portion of profile/index pair 408 of the clientdevice 108 that is a successful target of the search. In other words, itis generally determined whether there is agreement between authorizationaccess information of the profile information of the requester and theauthorization access information of the content.

[0052] The authorization access information from the profile informationof the requester may be located in profile 410 at the requesting clientdevice 108 and/or in profiles 404 at the head end 402. The authorizationaccess information of the content may be located in content index 412 atthe target client device 108 and/or in indexes 406 at the head end 402.Also, the authorization access information of the content may be locatedin a special database (not shown in FIG. 4) that is at or otherwiseaccessible to head end 402. Specifically, it is determined whetherpredetermined authorization access information from the profile of therequester comports with predefined authorization access information ofthe requested content.

[0053] By way of example but not limitation, it may be determinedwhether a requester subscribes to a premium content service thatoriginally broadcast or otherwise provided the requested content, whichhas now been located as being stored on a target client device 108. Ifthe requester does subscribe to the premium content service, then therequester has access rights to the requested content. Conversely, if therequester does not subscribe to the premium content service, then therequester does not have access rights to the requested content. Adetermination as to whether the requester subscribes to the premiumcontent service may be bifurcated into (i) whether the requestersubscribed to the premium content service at the time of broadcast ofthe requested content and/or (ii) whether the requester subscribes tothe premium content service when the content search request isreceived/initiated and/or when the requested content is transferred tothe requester.

[0054] If the requester is determined to not have access rights (atblock 506), then the requester is not provided access to the content atblock 508. If, on the other hand, the requester is determined to haveaccess rights (at block 506), then the requester can be provided accessto the content. For example, the search results may be reported to therequester at block 510. In other words, the successful location of amatch for the requested content can be reported to the requester. Atblock 512, access to the requested content can be provided to therequester. For example, the requester can be provided the opportunity totransfer the requested content from the target client device 108 to therequesting client device 108 for storage and/or rendering thereat.

[0055]FIG. 6 is an exemplary head end 402 of network environment 400 ofFIG. 4. Head end 402 includes a search server 602, a clientconfiguration server (CCS) part 604, and a content exchange database606. CCS part 604 includes instructions for communicating informationbetween head end 402 and multiple client devices 108. The informationmay include, in addition to general setup and/or configurationinformation, profile information and index information for contentexchange database 606. Search server 602 enables head end 402 to searchcontent exchange database 606 responsive to a requested content searchthat is received from a requesting client device 108. Search server 602may be implemented in any of multiple possible manners. For example,search server 602 may be a set of electronically-executable instructionsfor searching content exchange database 606. Alternatively, searchserver 602 may be a physically separate server that includes contentexchange database 606. Such a physically separate server may be part-of,co-located with, or otherwise accessible to head end 402. Otherimplementations may instead be used to realize search server 602.

[0056] Content exchange database 606 may include profiles 404 andindexes 406. Each profile entry in profiles 404 may be linked to anindex entry in indexes 406 according to user/client device 108. Thus, alink or profile/index pair 408X corresponds to client device 108X (ofFIG. 4), and a link or profile/index pair 408Y corresponds to clientdevice 108Y. The amount of information in any given profile entry ofprofiles 404 or any given index entry of indexes 406, and any linkagestherebetween, may vary, especially in dependence on what searchingabilities and responsibilities are to be allocated to search server 602.For example, if search server 602 is to conduct an entire requestedsearch and determine whether appropriate access rights are held by arequester without contemporaneously interrogating any client devices,then significant information for all entries of both profiles 404 andindexes 406 should be included in content exchange database 606.Alternatively, if search server 602 receives predetermined authorizationaccess information from a profile 410 of a client device 108 (e.g., aspart of the search request or responsive to interrogation after findinga successful match), then profiles 404 need not be present as part ofcontent exchange database 606. Other combinations and implementations ofcontent exchange database 606 are possible, more of which are describedherein for example with reference to FIGS. 10-11B.

[0057]FIG. 7 is an exemplary client device 108 for network environment400 of FIG. 4. Client device 108 includes a profile 410, a content index412, and stored content 414, as described generally above with referenceto FIG. 4. An exemplary profile 410 and an exemplary index 412 aredescribed further below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively.Client device 108 also includes a user interface (UI) for searching 702,a client configuration agent (CCA) part 704, and a search agent 706. CCApart 704 includes instructions for communicating information betweenclient device 108 and head end 402. For example, CCA 704 may contact CCS604 to communicate information from client device 108 to head end 402,or vice versa. The information may include, in addition to general setupand/or configuration information, profile information from profile 410and index information from index 412 that is destined for contentexchange database 606 (of FIG. 6), or vice versa.

[0058] Search UI 702 provides a user interface for a user through clientdevice 108 (and possibly a separate display device such as television136 (of FIG. 1)). The UI can be GUI-based, menu-driven, operable byremote device such as a hand-held remote or keyboard, and so forth. Forexample, a general services screen may provide an option for the user toselect a service or feature which relates to searching content that isstored at other client devices 108. Selecting this option with a remote,keyboard, etc. results in a screen being displayed in which the user caninput search criteria such as content name, content broadcast time, andso forth. In fact, the enterable search criteria can be any informationthat is or may be stored in the content index entry of index 412 thatcorresponds to the desired content item to which the search is to bedirected. Exemplary information that is includable in index entries ofindex 412 is described further below with reference to FIG. 9.

[0059] Search agent 706 responds to instructions received from the uservia search UI 702. Thus, search agent 706 causes a search to beperformed for the desired/requested content. The search is carried outon content indexes associated with other client devices 108. Searchagent 706 is capable of causing searches of these content indexes inmultiple manners. These manners include direct searching of indexes 412using search agent 706, indirect searching of indexes 406 of contentexchange database 606 using search server 602, some combination thereof,and so forth. Search agent 706 and/or search server 602 are also capableof ensuring that the user is only permitted to access content to whichthe user has rights.

[0060] Search agent 706 thus causes the search to be performed withreference to authorization access information. Search server 602 orsearch agent 706 compares predetermined authorization access informationfrom the profile 410 and/or the profile portion of the profile/indexpair 408 of the requesting client device 108 to predefined authorizationaccess information associated with the requested content. The predefinedauthorization access information is stored with the index entry of thecontent that is determined to match the search request. The index entrymay be found in the content index 412 or the content indexes 406,depending on whether a direct search or an indirect search,respectively, was performed.

[0061] Search agent 706 and/or search server 602 denies access to thelocated content if the predetermined authorization access informationdoes not comport with the predefined authorization access information.On the other hand, search agent 706 and/or search server 602 providesaccess to the located content if the predetermined authorization accessinformation does comport with the predefined authorization accessinformation. Access can be provided by permitting the user to transferor to schedule a transfer of the requested/located content from theother or target client device 108 to the originating or requestingclient device 108 of the user. An exemplary search and transfer processis described further below with reference to FIG. 10.

[0062]FIG. 8 is an exemplary profile 410 for the network environment 400of FIG. 194. Profile 410 includes one or more profile entries 802.Profile 410 includes predetermined authorization access information thatis associated with a client device 108 and/or a user thereof. In otherwords, the predetermined authorization access information may beportable with respect to client device 108 such that anyone using clientdevice 108 has access rights in accordance with the predeterminedauthorization access information. Or, the predetermined authorizationaccess information may be portable with respect to the user such thatthe user can authorize (e.g., using an ID/password combination or otherauthentication technique) any client device 108 to have access rights inaccordance with the predetermined authorization access information.

[0063] Exemplary profile entry 802(1) is a user information entry thatincludes identification/billing information 804 and general service planinformation 806. Identification/billing information 804 relates toidentification and billing information for a subscriber/user. Generalservice plan information 806 relates to one or more general serviceplans to which the subscriber/user subscribes. For example, a cable orsatellite provider may offer three levels of basic packages, such assilver, gold, and platinum and five optional add-on packages. Each ofthe packages has corresponding channels to which the subscriber gainsaccess rights when subscribing thereto. General service plan information806 thus lists which basic and/or add-on packages to which the user hassubscribed. This exemplary user information entry or another entry mayalso include information directed to parental rights that limitviewable/transferable content based on age-appropriateness ratings,including those separated into different types of material such aslanguage, violence, and so forth.

[0064] Exemplary profile entry 802(2) is a premium service entry thatincludes subscription date(s) information 808 and sub-authorization(s)information 810. Each premium service entry corresponds to a premiumservice provider, for example a service provider that providesmultimedia content for an additional, separate fee over and above thosecharged for general subscription packages. Subscription date(s)information 808 indicates whether the user is a subscriber to thecorresponding premium service provider. For example, astarting/enrolling subscription date may be included. Additionally, acurrent date, a current status, and/or a date of cessation/terminationof the premium service subscription may be included.Sub-authorization(s) information 810 relate to possible secondary orsecond-tier channels associated with a primary or first-tier premiumservice provider. Alternatively, a single premium service “entry” maylist all premium services to which a user subscribes instead of havingseparate “entries” for each premium service provider.

[0065] Exemplary profile entry 802(N) is a general access authorizationentry that includes code(s) information 812 and parameter(s) information814. The general access authorization information of profile entry802(N) may include any information that indicates a user has rights toview, record, etc. content. In other words, the general accessauthorization information of profile entry 802(N) can comprise dataprotecting broadcast rights across recorded media. For example, suchinformation or data may pertain to content originating from intermittentproviders such as pay per view services. In a pay per view example,code(s) information 812 may indicate or evidence rights to a particularcontent item. Parameter(s) information 814, if present, may indicate thenumber of times the particular content item may be viewed, recorded,transferred, etc. before any such rights expire.

[0066]FIG. 9 is an exemplary content index 412 for network environment400 of FIG. 4. Content index 412 includes one or more content entries902. Each content item stored in content 414 (of FIGS. 4 and 7) mayinclude an associated content entry 902. Each content entry 902 includesinformation that is related to the associated content and that may besearched, either directly or indirectly, by search agents 706 of otherclient devices 108. Content index entries 902 that are associated withcontent items that require special access rights have predefinedauthorization access information. The predefined authorization accessinformation indicates what access rights are needed to view, record,transfer, etc. the associated content item and/or the identity of therights holder.

[0067] Exemplary content entry 902(1) includes identificationinformation 904. Identification information 904 identifies theassociated content item. Exemplary content entry 902(2) includesidentification information 904 and rights holder information 906. Rightsholder information 906 includes the company, service provider, etc. thatholds the viewing, recording, transferring, etc. rights to theassociated content item. Each content entry 902 may include anycombination of the information types described for content entries902(1), 902(2), and 902(N).

[0068] Exemplary content entry 902(N) includes name information 908,premium service identification 910, description, ratings, reviews, etc.information 912, and recording date and time information 914. Nameinformation 908 includes the name of the content item such as a title ofa program, movie, or event. Premium service identification information910 identifies the premium service provider of the content item by name,code, or the like. Description, ratings (including quality ratings andage-appropriateness ratings), reviews, etc. information 912 includes oneor more of a description, a summary, rating(s), review(s),actors/producers/and other artists of the content item, length of thecontent item, date of production/creation of the content item, and soforth. Recording date and time information 914 includes the date andtime at which the recorded content was broadcast and/or recorded. Thebroadcasting channel may also be recorded.

[0069]FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary authorization access controlledcontent transfer for the network environment 400 of FIG. 4. Thedescription of FIG. 10 includes maintaining consistency between indexesin the context of recording content. This context is indicated bynumerals 1-3 that are within circles. The description of FIG. 10 alsoincludes a content search with reference to authorization accessinformation in the context of transferring content from one clientdevice to another client device. This context is indicated by numerals1-6 that are within rectangles.

[0070] It is assumed that users of client devices 108X and 108Ysubscribe to a controlled content exchange service. In this example,client device 108X is searching for content that is located at clientdevice 108Y. The indication numerals in the circles and rectangles focuson this assumption and this example. Furthermore, although contentexchange database 606 is illustrated with head end 402, it need not bepresent if indirect searching via search server 602 is not to beimplemented.

[0071] At {circle over (1)}, profile 410X and profile 404X areestablished to reflect the controlled content exchange servicesubscription. Also, index 412X and index 406X are maintained to beconsistent with each other. At {circle over (2)}, a user orders clientdevice 108X to record/save content to content 414X. An index entry isadded to index 412X for the stored content item to reflect that thecontent item is now stored on client device 108X. At {circle over (3)},this new entry is communicated to head end 402 and added to index 406Xfor user 408X. Communicating information between client device 108X andhead end 402 for the profiles and indexes, as well as for otherinformation, may be accomplished using CCA 704X and CCS 604.

[0072] At

, the user interacts with search UI 702X to request a content search.The search can be based on the name of the desired content or any otherinformation that is stored in the content entries of content indexes 406or 412. Examples of such information are described further above withreference to FIG. 9. At

, search agent 706X is launched to conduct the search (i.e., to causethe search to be performed). Search agent 706X may cause the search tobe performed indirectly using search server 602 of head end 402,directly by contacting other client devices 108 via network 10, and soforth.

[0073] For an indirect search implementation at

, search server 602 searches indexes 406 that correspond to multipleclient devices 108 of content exchange database 606 until a match isfound at index 406Y of user 408Y (corresponding to client device 108Y).For a direct search implementation at

, search agent 706X searches indexes 412 that correspond to multipleclient devices 108 that are connected to network 110 until a match isfound at index 412Y of client device 108Y (corresponding to a user 408Y(not explicitly shown)). Network addresses for potential target clientdevices 108, if not already present at client device 108X, may bedownloaded from head end 402 (e.g., from profiles 404). This directsearch can optionally rely on search agents 706 of potential targetclient devices 108 to effectuate the individual searches. For example,search agent 706X may send a search query to search agent 706Y andpermit/request search agent 706Y to search index 412Y of client device108Y.

[0074] At

, search server 602 or search agent 706X/706Y ascertains a match for therequested content. This match is communicated to search agent 706X alongwith any relevant information for transferring the desired content fromclient device 108Y to client device 108X. Such relevant information mayinclude a time when the desired content may be transferred and anestimated duration for the transfer process to be completed. At

, the user of client device 108X is given a chance to elect to have thedesired content transferred from client device 108Y to client device108X using search UI 702X. At

, search agent 706X communicates with search agent 706Y to establish atime and any relevant parameters for transferring the requested content.At

, the requested content is transferred from content 414Y of clientdevice 108Y to content 414X of client device 108X using, for example,search agent 706Y and search agent 706X. It should be understood thatany of the above communications or content transfers may alternativelybe effectuated using CCA 704X and CCS 604 or CCA 704Y.

[0075] Methods for Authorized Access Controlled Content Exchange

[0076] Authorized access controlled content exchange may be described inthe general context of electronically-executable instructions.Generally, electronically-executable instructions include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like thatperform particular functions or implement particular abstract datatypes. Authorized access controlled content exchange may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where functions areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment,electronically-executable instructions may be located in both a head endand in multiple remote client devices.

[0077] The methods and processes of FIGS. 5, 11, 11A, and 11B areillustrated in flow diagrams divided into multiple blocks. However, theorder in which the methods and processes are described is not intendedto be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blockscan be combined in any order to implement one or more methods orprocesses for authorized access controlled content exchange.Furthermore, although the methods and processes are described below withreference to television entertainment environments 100 and 200, withreference to network environment 400, and with reference to clientdevices 108 where applicable, the methods and processes can beimplemented in any suitable network environment and using any suitablehardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

[0078]FIGS. 11, 11A, and 11B are flow diagrams 1100, 1106A, and 1106B,respectively, that illustrate exemplary methods for authorization accesscontrolled content exchange. Flow diagram 1100 includes five (5) blocks1102, 1106, and 1110-1114. Method block 1106 represents two alternativeapproaches that each includes multiple other blocks. These twoalternative approaches are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B as flowdiagrams 1106A and 1106B, respectively.

[0079] At block 1102 of flow diagram 1100, a search request for contentis received from a user. For example, a search request can be receivedfrom a subscriber at a client device 108, or a search request can bereceived from a client device 108 at a head end 402. At block 1106, thesearch request is processed. Two exemplary approaches for processing thesearch request are illustrated at FIGS. 11A and 11B. The input andoutput flows of the search request processing of block 1106 areindicated by flow arrows 1104 and 1108, respectively; these flow arrows1104 and 1108 are reproduced in flow diagrams 1106A and 1106B forclarity. FIG 11A illustrates an approach in which a search is performedif the requesting user has any needed special rights. FIG. 11Billustrates an approach in which a search may be performed or startedbefore knowing if the requesting user has any special rights that may beneeded to access the requested content.

[0080] In flow diagram 1106A of FIG. 11A, it is determined whether anyspecial rights are needed to access the requested content at block 1116.This determination may be made at a client device 108 or a head end 402.For example, client device 108 may be able to “quickly” determine thatthe rights holder of the requested content is a premium service providerbased on information from an EPG that evidences that the premium serviceprovider provided the requested program or based on a channel providedin the content request. Alternatively, head end 402 may make thisdetermination by consulting a special database that associates contentwith the rights holder or holders thereof.

[0081] If special rights are determined to be needed (at block 1116),then it is determined whether the user has such rights at block 1118.This determination may be accomplished by comparing the special rightsinformation (e.g., the predefined authorization access information)attained in block 1116 to predetermined authorization access informationof profile 410/404 of the requesting client device 108, for example athead end 402. At client device 108, on the other hand, thisdetermination may be accomplished by reviewing profile 410 and comparingthe information therein to any ascertained rights holder information.

[0082] If the user does not have the needed special rights (asdetermined at block 1118), then it can be reported to the user that nosearch was performed and that no access to the content is currentlyavailable to the user at block 1120. This reporting can be accomplishedusing a search UI 702, for example. The multimedia content distributionsystem may also give the user an opportunity to subscribe to the premiumservice or otherwise pay a fee in order to gain access to the content atblock 1120.

[0083] If no special rights are needed (as determined at block 1116) orspecial rights are needed to access the content but the user possessessuch rights (as determined at blocks 1116 and 1118), then the search isperformed at block 1122. The search may be performed indirectly using asearch server 602 and a content exchange database 606 of head end 402 ordirectly using a search agent 706 of the requesting client device 108and indexes 412 of target client devices 108. Alternatively, searchserver 602 can be enabled to search indexes 412 of target client devices108 to maintain greater control at head end 402, to decrease any privacyconcerns, and so forth.

[0084] If a match is not found at block 1124 from the search (of block1122), then a no match search result is reported to the user at block1126. This can be reported using a CCS 604 and CCA 704 forcommunications between client device 108 and head end 402 and/or using asearch UI 702 for communications between client device 108 and a viewer.If, on the other hand, a match is found at block 1124 from the search(of block 1122), then the method can continue at block 1110 (of FIG. 11)as indicated by flow arrow 1108. Blocks 1110-1114 of flow diagram 1100are described further below.

[0085] In flow diagram 1106B of FIG. 11B, a search for the requestedcontent is performed at block 1128. The search may be performedindirectly using a search server 602 and a content exchange database 606of head end 402 or directly using a search agent 706 of the requestingclient device 108 and indexes 412 of target client devices 108. Ineither search manner, information input as parameter(s) for the searchthat is related to the requested content is compared to information inthe indexes 406 or 412. If a match is not found at block 1130, then theabsence of a match is reported to the user at block 1132. This reportcan occur between head end 402 and requesting client device 108 and/orbetween the client device 108 and a viewer. If, on the other hand, amatch is found at block 1130, then the search results are adjustedresponsive to authorization access information.

[0086] This adjustment may be accomplished at least partly by comparingpredetermined authorization access information of a profile entrycorresponding to the requesting client device 108 to predefinedauthorization access information of an index entry corresponding to therequested content that was located (at blocks 1128 and 1130). For thepredetermined authorization access information to comport with thepredefined authorization access information in this particularimplementation, the user needs to have rights to the requested contentbased on the rights holder and based on the dates of those rights. Inother words, not only does the user need to have a subscription with therights holder, the user needs to have had the subscription at the timeof broadcasting of the requested content.

[0087] At block 1134, it is determined whether the user had rights tothe requested content at the time of the broadcast. If the user did nothave rights at the time of the broadcast, then it is reported to theuser that no access is available at block 1136. However, the user mayoptionally be given the option to subscribe and/or pay a fee in order togain access to the requested content. If, on the other hand, the userdid have rights at the time of the broadcast (as determinable in block1134), then it is determined or verified that the user currently hasrights to the requested content at block 1138. If the user does notcurrently have rights, then the no access report is provided to the user(at block 1136). If the user does have rights currently (as determinablein block 1138), then the method can continue at block 1110 (of FIG. 11)as indicated by flow arrow 1108.

[0088] Assuming that a content match is found during the search requestprocessing of block 1106, the match is reported to the user at block1110. The reporting can include an inquiry directed to whether the userwishes to accept the opportunity to transfer the located content. If thecontent transfer opportunity is accepted, the requesting client device108 can schedule a transfer time with the target client device 108 atblock 1112. After the transfer of the content, at block 1114 the indexat head end 402 that corresponds to requesting client device 108 isupdated to reflect the content that is now stored thereat. The contenttransfer itself may also be logged at the head end. Thus, in eithercase, the event is recorded at head end 402.

CONCLUSION

[0089] Although systems and methods have been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understoodthat the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarilylimited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, thespecific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary forms ofimplementing the claimed invention.

1. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, themethod comprising actions of: causing a plurality of content indexes tobe searched to locate a match to requested content, each content indexof the plurality of content indexes corresponding to content stored at atarget client device of a plurality of target client devices; locating acontent match responsive to the causing action, the content matchcorresponding to the requested content and having predefinedauthorization access information; determining whether predeterminedauthorization access information associated with a requesting clientdevice comports with the predefined authorization access information; ifnot, denying access to the requested content to a user; and is so,providing access to the requested content to the user.
 2. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the user supplies the predeterminedauthorization access information to the requesting client device.
 3. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the method is effectuated by therequesting client device.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1, whereinthe plurality of content indexes are at least co-located with a head endof a multimedia content distribution system; and wherein the locatingaction is performed by the head end.
 5. The method as recited in claim1, wherein the plurality of content indexes are located at respectiveones of the plurality of target client devices; and wherein the locatingaction is performed by the respective ones of the plurality of targetclient devices.
 6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein theplurality of content indexes are located at respective ones of theplurality of target client devices; and wherein the locating action isperformed by the requesting client device.
 7. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein the action of providing comprises: transferring therequested content from a target client device of the plurality of targetclient devices to the requesting client device; and enabling the user toview the requested content via the requesting client device.
 8. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the action of determiningcomprises: comparing a plurality of rights holders from thepredetermined authorization access information to a rights holder fromthe predefined authorization access information.
 9. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the action of determining comprises:comparing subscription date information from the predeterminedauthorization access information to at least one of current dateinformation and broadcast date of the requested content information fromthe predefined authorization access information.
 10. One or moreelectronically-accessible media comprising electronically-executableinstructions that, when executed, direct a client device to perform themethod as recited in claim
 1. 11. A client device for authorizationaccess controlled content exchange, the client device configured toperform actions comprising: causing a plurality of content indexes to besearched to locate a match to requested content, each content index ofthe plurality of content indexes corresponding to content stored at atarget client device of a plurality of target client devices; locating acontent match responsive to the causing action, the content matchcorresponding to the requested content and having predefinedauthorization access information; determining whether predeterminedauthorization access information associated with the client devicecomports with the predefined authorization access information; if not,denying access to the requested content to a user; and is so, providingaccess to the requested content to the user.
 12. The client device asrecited in claim 11, wherein the client device is further configured toperform an action comprising: receiving a search request input, thesearch request input directed to the requested content based on at leastone of a name, an identification, a broadcast channel, a broadcast time,a broadcast date, and a description.
 13. The client device as recited inclaim 11, wherein the client device comprises at least one of a set-topbox (STB), a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA),a mobile telephone (MT), a tablet PC, and a pocket or hand-sized PC. 14.An arrangement that is capable of authorization access controlledcontent exchange, comprising: profile means for profiling subscriptioninformation that indicates access rights to content; index means forindexing content that is stored at the arrangement; search means forsearching content that is stored remotely at a plurality of otherarrangements by searching a plurality of other index means, each otherindex means of the plurality of other index means corresponding to aparticular other arrangement of the plurality of other arrangements; andaccess means for providing access to content located by the search meansif the profile means indicates that access rights to the content locatedby the search means exist with respect to the arrangement.
 15. Thearrangement as recited in claim 14, wherein the arrangement comprisesclient means for a television-based entertainment environment.
 16. Thearrangement as recited in claim 14, wherein the search means comprisesat least one of agent means for searching the plurality of other indexmeans as located at the plurality of other arrangements and agent meansfor searching the plurality of other index means as located at a headend of a multimedia content distribution system.
 17. The arrangement asrecited in claim 14, wherein the access means comprises comparison meansfor comparing predetermined authorization access information from theprofile means to predefined authorization access information from atleast one other index means of the plurality of other index means.
 18. Amethod for controlling content exchange in a television-basedentertainment environment, the method comprising actions of: performinga search for content with reference to authorization access information;and enabling access to the content if predetermined authorization accessinformation comports with predefined authorization access information.19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the content comprisesmultimedia content.
 20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein theauthorization access information comprises at least one of a userprofile, a parental rights setting, and data protecting broadcast rightsacross recorded media.
 21. The method as recited in claim 18, whereinthe action of performing comprises: locating the content on a targetclient device; and determining whether the predetermined authorizationaccess information comports with the predefined authorization accessinformation.
 22. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the actionof performing comprises: locating the content on a target client deviceby orchestrating the search from a requesting client device; anddetermining whether the predetermined authorization access informationcomports with the predefined authorization access information.
 23. Themethod as recited in claim 18, wherein the action of performingcomprises: locating the content on a target client device byorchestrating the search from a server device of the television-basedentertainment environment; and determining whether the predeterminedauthorization access information comports with the predefinedauthorization access information.
 24. The method as recited in claim 18,wherein the action of performing comprises: locating the content on atarget client device by orchestrating the search from a head end of thetelevision-based entertainment network; and determining whether thepredetermined authorization access information comports with thepredefined authorization access information.
 25. The method as recitedin claim 18, wherein the action of enabling comprises: displaying apositive match result from the search; and providing an opportunity torequest a transfer of the content to a requesting client device.
 26. Themethod as recited in claim 18, wherein the action of enabling comprises:transferring the content from a target client device to a requestingclient device, the requesting client device requesting the search. 27.The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the predeterminedauthorization access information is associated with a requesting user,and the predefined authorization access information is associated withthe content.
 28. One or more electronically-accessible media comprisingelectronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct anelectronic apparatus to perform the method as recited in claim
 18. 29. Aclient device that is capable of controlling content exchange in amultimedia content distribution system, comprising: at least one searchagent that is capable of causing searches for content to be performedwith reference to authorization access information, the authorizationaccess information including predetermined authorization accessinformation that is associated with the client device and predefinedauthorization access information that is associated with the content;the at least one search agent capable of determining whether thepredetermined authorization access information comports with thepredefined authorization access information responsive to one or more ofthe searches; wherein the at least one search agent is adapted to enableaccess to the content via the client device if the predeterminedauthorization access information comports with the predefinedauthorization access information.
 30. The client device as recited inclaim 29, wherein the content comprises multimedia content.
 31. Theclient device as recited in claim 29, wherein the authorization accessinformation comprises at least one of a user profile, a parental rightssetting, and data protecting broadcast rights across recorded media. 32.The client device as recited in claim 29, further comprising: one ormore network interfaces, the one or more network interfaces capable ofat least receiving the content for the client device.
 33. The clientdevice as recited in claim 32, wherein the one or more networkinterfaces comprise at least one wired network interface or at least onewireless network interface.
 34. The client device as recited in claim29, wherein the client device comprises at least one of a set-top box(STB), a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), amobile telephone (MT), a tablet PC, and a pocket or hand-sized PC. 35.The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least onesearch agent is capable of said causing and said determining by directlysearching each content index of a plurality of client devices bydirectly communicating with each client device of the plurality ofclient devices.
 36. The client device as recited in claim 29, whereinthe at least one search agent is capable of said causing and saiddetermining by indirectly searching each content index of a plurality ofclient devices by communicating with a search server of a head end ofthe multimedia content distribution system.
 37. The client device asrecited in claim 29, further comprising: a content index having aplurality of index entries, each index entry of the plurality of indexentries corresponding to at least one content item.
 38. The clientdevice as recited in claim 29, further comprising: a profile thatcomprises at least a portion of the predetermined authorization accessinformation.
 39. The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein theat least one search agent is adapted to enable access to the content viathe client device by causing a positive match result from a search to bedisplayed and by providing an opportunity to request a transfer of thecontent to the client device.
 40. The client device as recited in claim29, wherein the at least one search agent is adapted to enable access tothe content via the client device by causing the content to betransferred from a target client device to the client device.
 41. Aclient device that is capable of controlling multimedia contentexchange, comprising: at least one search agent that is capable ofcausing searches for multimedia content to be performed with referenceto authorization access information; the multimedia content stored at aplurality of other client devices, the authorization access informationincluding predetermined authorization access information that isassociated with the client device and predefined authorization accessinformation that is associated with the multimedia content; the at leastone search agent capable of determining whether the predeterminedauthorization access to information comports with the predefinedauthorization access information responsive to one or more of thesearches; wherein the at least one search agent is adapted to enableaccess to the multimedia content via the client device if thepredetermined authorization access information comports with thepredefined authorization access information.
 42. A method forauthorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprisingactions of: receiving a search request for content from a requestinguser; locating a search match for the content, the content stored by adifferent user; determining whether the requesting user has accessrights to the content responsive to authorization access information; ifnot, denying access to the content to the requesting user; and if so,providing access to the content to the requesting user.
 43. The methodas recited in claim 42, further comprising: reporting results of thesearch request to the requesting user.
 44. The method as recited inclaim 43, wherein the action of reporting comprises: presenting acontent match to the requesting user, the requesting user comprising anoperator of a client device; and providing the operator an opportunityto receive the content for storage at the client device from thedifferent user.
 45. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein therequesting user comprises a client device; and wherein the actions ofreceiving, locating, and determining are effectuated by a search serverof a multimedia content distribution system.
 46. The method as recitedin claim 42, wherein the actions of receiving, locating, and determiningare effectuated by a client device of a multimedia content distributionsystem.
 47. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein the action oflocating comprises: searching a plurality of content indexes for thecontent, each content index of the plurality of content indexesindicating what content is stored on a respective client device of aplurality of client devices.
 48. The method as recited in claim 47,wherein each content index of the plurality of content indexes includesa plurality of content index entries, each content index entry of theplurality of content index entries including at least an identificationof a content item that is stored on the respective client device of theplurality of client devices.
 49. The method as recited in claim 42,wherein the action of locating is effectuated by the requesting user andthe different user.
 50. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein theaction of locating is effectuated by a search server that has access toa plurality of content indexes, a content index of the plurality ofcontent indexes corresponding to the different user and including acontent index entry directed to the content.
 51. The method as recitedin claim 42, wherein the authorization access information includespredetermined authorization access information that is associated withthe requesting user and predefined authorization access information thatis associated with the content; and wherein the action of determiningcomprises: comparing the predetermined authorization access informationto the predefined authorization access information to determine whetherthe predetermined authorization access information comports with thepredefined authorization access information.
 52. The method as recitedin claim 42, wherein the action of determining comprises: comparing aprofile that corresponds to the requesting user with rights holderinformation that corresponds to the content.
 53. The method as recitedin claim 52, wherein the profile includes at least one televisionchannel or network to which the requesting user subscribes, and therights information includes at least one television channel or networkthat provided the content.
 54. One or more electronically-accessiblemedia comprising electronically-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, direct an electronic apparatus to perform the method asrecited in claim
 42. 55. A client device that is capable ofauthorization access controlled content exchange, comprising: a profilethat is directed to predetermined authorization access information; acontent index including a plurality of content index entries, eachcontent index entry of the plurality of content index entries directedto at least one content item and including identification thereof andpredefined authorization access information related thereto; and atleast one search agent that is capable of causing searches for contentto be performed by searching a plurality of content indexes, eachcontent index of the plurality of content indexes corresponding to aparticular client device of a plurality of other client devices, thecontent being searched stored at the plurality of other client devices;wherein the client device is permitted to transfer the content that isassociated with predefined authorization access information to which thepredetermined authorization access information comports and is preventedfrom transferring the content that is associated with predefinedauthorization access information to which the predeterminedauthorization access information does not comport.
 56. The client deviceas recited in claim 55, further comprising: a plurality of content itemsstored in a memory.
 57. The client device as recited in claim 56,wherein at least one content item of the plurality of content itemscomprises multimedia content.
 58. The client device as recited in claim56, wherein each content item of the plurality of content items has acorresponding content index entry of the plurality of content indexentries.
 59. The client device as recited in claim 55, wherein theprofile includes a plurality of profile entries, each profile entry ofthe plurality of profile entries comprising at least one of userinformation, premium content service provider information, and generalaccess authorization information.
 60. The client device as recited inclaim 55, wherein the predefined authorization access information foreach content index entry of the plurality of content index entriescomprises at least one of rights holder information and a premiumcontent service provider identification.
 61. The client device asrecited in claim 55, wherein the plurality of content indexes that aresearched for the content are located at a head end of a multimediacontent distribution system; and wherein the at least one search agentis further capable of causing the searches for the content to beperformed at the head end.
 62. The client device as recited in claim 55,wherein each content index of the plurality of content indexes that aresearched for the content is located at a respective particular clientdevice of the plurality of other client devices; and wherein the atleast one search agent is further capable of causing the searches forthe content to be performed at the plurality of other client devices.63. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, themethod comprising actions of: receiving a search request for contentfrom a requesting user; determining whether special rights are needed toaccess the content; if special rights are needed to access the content,then determining whether the requesting user has access rights to thecontent responsive to authorization access information; if therequesting user does not have access rights to the content, then denyingaccess to the content to the requesting user; if the requesting userdoes have access rights to the content, then performing a search tolocate the content using a plurality of content indexes, the pluralityof content indexes reflecting content stored at a plurality of clientdevices; and reporting results of the search to the requesting user. 64.The method as recited in claim 63, further comprising: providing therequesting user an opportunity to elect to transfer the content from aparticular client device of the plurality of client devices to a clientdevice of the requesting user.
 65. The method as recited in claim 63,wherein the action of determining whether special rights are needed toaccess the content comprises: consulting a database to search forpredefined authorization access information that is associated with thecontent.
 66. One or more electronically-accessible media comprisingelectronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct anelectronic apparatus to perform the method as recited in claim
 63. 67. Amethod for authorization access controlled content exchange, the methodcomprising actions of: receiving a search request for content from arequesting user; performing a search for the content responsive to thereceived search request by searching a plurality of content indexes,each content index of the plurality of content indexes reflectingcontent items stored at target client devices; determining whether asearch match has been found from the search; if a search match has notbeen found, reporting a no match search result to the requesting user;if a search match has been found, determining whether the requestinguser has rights to the content; if the requesting user has rights to thecontent, reporting a match search result to the requesting user; and ifthe requesting user does not have rights to the content, reporting a noaccess result to the requesting user.
 68. The method as recited in claim67, further comprising: scheduling a transfer of the content from atarget client device of the plurality of target client devices to therequesting user.
 69. The method as recited in claim 67, furthercomprising: scheduling a transfer of the content from a target clientdevice of the plurality of target client devices to the requesting user;and recording the transfer at a head end of a television-basedentertainment network.
 70. The method as recited in claim 67, whereinthe action of reporting a no access result to the requesting usercomprises: providing the requesting user an opportunity to subscribe toa service and thereby gain access to the content.
 71. The method asrecited in claim 67, wherein the action of reporting a no access resultto the requesting user comprises: providing the requesting user anopportunity to remit a fee to thereby gain access to the content. 72.The method as recited in claim 67, wherein the action of determiningwhether the requesting user has rights to the content comprises:determining whether the requesting user had rights to the content whenthe content was distributed; and determining whether the requesting usercurrently has rights to the content.
 73. One or moreelectronically-accessible media comprising electronically-executableinstructions that, when executed, direct an electronic apparatus toperform the method as recited in claim
 67. 74. A method forauthorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprisingactions of: receiving a search request for desired content from arequesting user, the search request including at least one searchparameter; searching a plurality of content indexes to match the atleast one search parameter, each content index of the plurality ofcontent indexes corresponding to content stored at a target clientdevice of a plurality of target client devices; locating a content matchresponsive to the searching action, the content match corresponding tothe desired content and having predefined authorization accessinformation; determining whether predetermined authorization accessinformation associated with the requesting user comports with thepredefined authorization access information; and if not, denying accessto the desired content to the requesting user.
 75. The method as recitedin claim 74, wherein the requesting user comprises at least one of aclient device and a viewer of the client device.
 76. The method asrecited in claim 74, wherein the method is effectuated by a head end ofa multimedia content distribution system.
 77. The method as recited inclaim 76, wherein the plurality of content indexes are at leastco-located with the head end of the multimedia content distributionsystem.
 78. The method as recited in claim 76, wherein the plurality ofcontent indexes are located at the plurality of target client devices.79. The method as recited in claim 74, further comprising: if thepredetermined authorization access information does comport with thepredefined authorization access information, providing access to thedesired content to the requesting user.
 80. The method as recited inclaim 74, wherein the predetermined authorization access information isreceived with the search request.
 81. The method as recited in claim 74,wherein the predetermined authorization access information is extractedfrom a profile of a plurality of profiles, the profile corresponding tothe requesting user.
 82. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein thepredefined authorization access information is extracted from thecontent index of the plurality of content indexes that provides thecontent match.
 83. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein thepredefined authorization access information comprises a premium contentprovider and the predetermined authorization access informationcomprises a plurality of premium content providers; and wherein thepredetermined authorization access information is determined to comportwith the predefined authorization access information if the premiumcontent provider is among the plurality of premium content providers.84. One or more electronically-accessible media comprisingelectronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct anelectronic apparatus to perform the method as recited in claim
 74. 85. Asystem for authorization access controlled content exchange, comprising:a database, the database including a plurality of profiles and aplurality of content indexes; each profile of the plurality of profilesincluding predetermined authorization access information for acorresponding client device of a plurality of client devices, and eachcontent index of the plurality of content indexes including predefinedauthorization access information for content stored at the correspondingclient device of the plurality of client devices; a search server, thesearch server capable of receiving a content search request forrequested content from a requesting client device and performing asearch responsive to the content search request using the plurality ofcontent indexes; the search server adapted to provide access to therequested content if the requesting client device has access rights tothe requested content and to deny access to the requested content if therequesting client device does not have access rights to the requestedcontent.
 86. The system as recited in claim 85, further comprising: acommunications part, the communications part adapted to facilitatecommunications between the system and the plurality of client devices tomaintain consistency between the plurality of profiles and the pluralityof content indexes and respective profiles and content indexes stored atthe plurality of client devices.
 87. The system as recited in claim 85,wherein the database and the search server comprise at least a portionof a head end of a multimedia content distribution system.
 88. Thesystem as recited in claim 85, wherein the search server compriseselectronically-executable instructions.
 89. The system as recited inclaim 85, wherein the search server is further adapted to determinewhether the requesting client device has access rights to the requestedcontent by determining whether the predetermined authorization accessinformation from a profile that corresponds to the requesting clientdevice comports with the predefined authorization access informationfrom a content index that corresponds to the requested content.
 90. Thesystem as recited in claim 85, wherein each profile of the plurality ofprofiles is linked to a content index of the plurality of contentindexes according to the corresponding client device of the plurality ofclient devices.